Every Wednesday, The CSPH highlights a Sexuality Professional you should keep your eye on. Their backgrounds are very diverse in order to bring attention to the wide variety of amazing people working in the field. This week we bring you Ricci Levy!

1. What do you do in the field of sexuality?

I am an activist and an advocate for our fundamental human right to sexual freedom. I founded the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance, an organization whose mission is to affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right, focused on sexual, gender and family diversity.

2. Where are you based out of?

Washington, DC

3. What is your focus? What do you do?

I am one of the founders and the Executive Director of the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance.

4. What are your particular goals and passions in the field?

I share the vision of my organization of a world that recognizes sexual freedom as the fundamental human right of all individuals to develop and express their unique sexuality; to be personally autonomous with regard to bodily integrity and expression of body mind and spirit; and to enjoy sexual dignity, privacy and consensual sexual expression without societal or governmental interference, coercion or stigmatization.

5. Why did you choose to work in this field?

I have always believed that individuals should have personal autonomy and that it is the human right of all individuals to develop and express their unique sexuality.

I would have to say that this field chose me.

6. Do you have any literature out (websites, articles)?

http://www.woodhullalliance.org I have written many articles, blog posts, testimony in front of state and local legislatures, Congress and the United Nations.

7. What would you recommend to future professionals attempting to get into the field?

Let what feeds your passion guide your future.

8. What is the most challenging aspect for you working in this career?

A lack of funding for education, advocacy and activism around sex and sexuality. The fact that when much of our population think of “human rights” or “human rights violations” they think of other countries – not the United States. All that we are, all that we have, and all that we strive to obtain are founded in our fundamental human rights. And, last but not least, our tendency (those of us in the sexual freedom movement) to talk to one another and not challenge ourselves to reach beyond our communities. “We” are already convinced. The people we have to educate are “out there.”

9. One must read-what would you recommend? Why?

I couldn’t possibly recommend just one book. There are so many books written by so many dedicated people. There’s “Harmful to Minors” by Judith Levine, “Sex Panic and the Punitive State” by Roger Lancaster, “Sex and Punishment: Four Thousand Years of Judging Desire” by Eric Berkowitz, “The Politics of Lust” by John Ince, “Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence” by Esther Perel….the list goes on and on!

NOTE: We do not necessarily endorse or agree with all the opinions of our featured Hump Day Heroes. If you have concerns over someone who is currently featured, please let us know by emailing aida@thecsph.org.